To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 July 1779
From Major General William Heath
Mandeville’s [Dutchess County, N.Y.]
July 22d 1779
Dear General.
I herewith send to be disposed of as your Excellency may direct, three Prisoners of War and two Deserters from the Brittish Army.1
It appears, notwithstanding the reports of Last Evening, that no ships, or Vessells except a Galley, were above Verplanks point the last night.2 I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Your Excellencys Most obedient Servant
W. Heath
LS, DLC:GW; ADfS, MHi: Heath Papers.
1. Brig. Gen. John Nixon sent these prisoners and deserters to Heath, apparently with a note written at Continental Village, N.Y., on this date: “I received from Captain Hallet of the Militia three prisoners of War, and two Deserters from the Enemy last Evening; I herewith Send them to your Honor” (DLC:GW; see also Jonah Hallett to Corporal Trotter, 21 July, DLC:GW, and 226).
2. Heath evidently obtained this intelligence from Nixon’s report to him of this date. That report reads: “My party has return’d from Haricue Lents—there has been no Shipping above kings Ferry except the Galley that was up yesterday. the Enemy has destroyed our Bridge. they kept very close last Night—none to be discover’d. I shall endeavour to discover where the Shipping lay, and inform you as soon as possible” (DLC:GW; see also Heath to GW, 21 July).